Update: Four Years Post Injury
My remarkable mother continues to improve, well beyond the time limit for progress that was stressed by the doctors. It has now been four years post her TBI. She did suffer another grand mal seizure and has increased her dosage of Dilantin, but she seems to be tolerating the medication.
One night, while I was on the phone with her, she had a small seizure. She abruptly stopped talking in the middle of a sentence during our conversation. I knew immediately that it was a seizure, and kept shouting, "Mom?.....Mom?" There was no one else in the room with her, and I panicked, but fortunately she came out of it a few minutes later.
She tends to forget to take the Dilantin when it is too late at night. She simply falls asleep and the pill remains on her night table. So, at present, she is taking it with dinner to remind her.
In July, my 85 year old father suffered heat stroke and pneumonia and my mother became his nurse. It was ironic that she became the caregiver to him after he had helped to take care of her during her recovery. She took control and actually became adamant about being his caregiver, making all the decisions, designating who else would help take care of him, giving them orders, and cooking for him. It was incredibly therapeutic for her to take control in this crisis situation. Fortunately, he recovered, thanks to her help.
I am so grateful that because of my mother's recovery, they have each other in their sunset years, and in my gratitude I continue to help other TBI survivors and caregivers.
